After all yesterday's excitement today seemed much more mundane. But for once this week we had sunshine and great temps for riding.

We had a hard rain again last night so once again we had to pack up wet tents. Then my sunglasses fell off my helment in the parking lot and broke into. I wear hard contact lens and glasses do wonders to keep wind and debris out of my eyes.

Before this week while today did not have any epic climbs I thought it could be a tough day-and I was right. The route was rather longish at 80 miles and was uphill into the wind for a long ways.

We had pretty flat roads for the first 40 miles so riding in groups was in order. Even with a good headwind we averaged 20+ mph for the first 40 miles.

The next 26 miles was steadily uphill and into a good headwind. We did Muddy Pass and Rabbit Ears from the West.

Once again I ran out of energy around 60 miles and crawled to the last stop at 66 miles. I had stopped twice before and ate a lot but I just can't seem to get enough in.

I took a little break and ate and drank more. I really needed my full concentration for the upcoming fast descent of 14 miles into Steamboat. I could tell I wasn't completely with it.

I really enjoy the downhills here as the turns are not as tight as the NC mountains. Thus you just tuck in and never have to use your brakes. However this one was more challenging. Without the sunglasses I found I was squinting and looking with just one eye. Then cars would pass me and throw up sand which would get under my contact lens. My eyes would tear up and I could not see. That is not a good thing flying down hills at 40+ mph. The closest call I had was where they were doing road repairs and they had put these large steel plates over a hole in the road. I saw it just in time to swerve around it.

Anyway another 80 miles in the books so that pushes me over 600 miles.

For the first time I feel pretty whipped. I'm hoping a nap and good supper will recharge the batteries. Tomorrow is one of our longer days of 90+ miles so I'll need the extra energy.